WE WELCOME YOU A gracious welcome to all parishioners, guests, and visitors! It is a pleasure to welcome you to our Parish to share a life of faith in Jesus Christ, Our Savior. This is the House of the Lord.

SCHEDULE AND REMINDERS Religious Education Classes begin on Sundays with our 9:00am family mass followed by an hour of classroom instruction.

MEN'S CLUB GENERAL MEETINGAll men of the parish are invited to the next monthly meeting on Tuesday,
March 26th at 7:00pm in the parish hall.

APRIL 5th : SAVE THE DATE! Please save the date! The annual Lenten Fish Fry hosted by the Men's Club will be Friday, April 5th! More information coming soon.

We all know the things that make us happy, but we don't always do them. Lent is an opportunity to change that. This year we invite you to do something different by joining Dynamic Catholic for Best Lent Ever, a free email program where you'll get short, inspirational videos from Matthew Kelly and personal reflections from Dynamic Catholic team members that will help you identify what stands between you and happiness... and what to do about it. Are you ready for your best Lent ever? To sign up, visit bestlentever.com

EMMAUS WOMENS RETREAT Deepen your relationship with God. He is waiting for you and He is calling you! When: April 26, 27, & 28, 2019. Where: St Gregory the Great Catholic Church. Fee: $195. For more information: Ginny Matheo, (954) 655-3788

Are you suffering from the pain of a past abortion? For confidential help, contact Project Rachel Ministry at 888-456-HOPE (4673). Individual counseling and retreat weekends are available.

Please join us for daily mass. The Rosary is shared at 8:20 AM before the 8:45 AM Mass. All are welcome to join with us in prayer and celebration of the Mass.

Our Novena and Benediction service is every Monday after the 8:45 AM Mass.

Welcome to the Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church parish family. This website is designed to help you get to know our parish and to become part of our community. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to stop in at the parish office or talk with us after mass.

We continue to deepen in the strengths of the parish: prayer, worship, and education of our members in the ways of God. The power of prayer is directed to all the individuals of the parish. Our worship deepens our contact and relationship with God: our creator, rescuer, sustainer. Our young are taught the ways of faith by the example and stories of our lives with God.

We welcome you. We hope and pray that you will grow with us as we journey on our life's road to the Lord.

THE CELTIC INFLUENCE

The Celts, an ancient people who lived thousands of years ago, occupied land in the Scandinavian countries, Scotland, Ireland and other neighboring territories. Survival was very difficult because of weather conditions, invaders, lack of a stable food supply and health issues. What these people acquired was the skill of survival. This translated into the development of mental and physical stamina that allowed them to face many challenges. Medical researchers of our day may contest this understanding, but in centuries past this incredible stamina was believed and testified to by the capacity of these people to survive the most difficult conditions. Resilience!

The Celtic strain was passed on from generation to generation. These people endured the challenges of nature, enemy confrontation and the advancement of community living, which required serious adaptation. All who kept focus on what was important survived and continued their culture. All who became accepted the status quo and became indolent lost their appetite to achieve and transmit.

When Christianity came to these tribal people in Ireland in the Fifth Century, it acquired some of this Celtic resilience. Hence, the monastic institutions established by Irish monks throughout Europe were the epitome of adaptation to the needs of people. Thus the faith became part of the way of life.

On this St. Patrick's Day may we salute the resilience of the original immigrants to the United States, especially the Irish. They came unwelcomed, worked tirelessly, advanced in education and achieved acceptance. The Celtic tenacity gave them an edge over others who had different journeys.

One of the great reflections of Irish immigrants was the Catholic faith they brought. This may have been their greatest strength, especially in times of opposition. That strong faith gave them confidence, energy and purpose. Success was seen not just in material achievement, but more so in securing eternal salvation. That Celtic spirit imbued a determination that no person could stall.

Today, the subtle, materialistic and indulgent aspect of American society tests the strength of the Celtic spirit, especially as it relates to our faith. Are we so weak that in our "Garden of Eden" we eat the apple of submission to the false and misleading ways of life? Are we betraying the "Celtic spirit" that really all of us have received regardless of our nationality? In times of trial, the good, the committed and the resourceful will emerge with a faith sufficient to assure them of eternal happiness. Resilience is the "Ace in the Hole" to be renewed in spirit and redirected to the road of salvation.

THE SEASON OF LENT IS UPON US

Lent provides an opportunity of great grace in which we can highlight our personal resolve to serve the Lord through prayer, fasting and alms giving. May we foster self-discipline in whatever way we deem appropriate. Abstinence from meat is obligated to all over the age of 14 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Other Fridays of Lent are recommended for abstinence. Fasting is the ideal for the other days of Lent.

RIGHT OF CHRISTIAN FORMATION
(RCIA)

Are you or someone you know interested in joining the Catholic faith community?
Are you a Catholic who desires to complete the initiation process by receiving the Eucharist and Confirmation?

If you answered Yes to one of these questions, we warmly invite you to entering the RCIA process. RCIA is designed to assist adults who have never been baptized, have been baptized in another Christian religion and want to become Catholic, or those who were baptized Catholic but have not received the Eucharist and Confirmation. For more information please email your contact information to church@stjohncc.org.

PRAYER OF THE WEEK

Prayer for the Second Sunday of Lent

O God, from whom all good things come, grant that we, who call on you in our need, may at your prompting discern what is right, and by your guidance do it. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.